Gutter Maintenance Prevents Water Damage!

12/2/2020 (Permalink)

Leaves and debris can cause a lot of havoc if not removed!

Here is New England the foliage is a fall highlight. While the foliage is beautiful once it falls there’s work to be done!  Property owners must remove all leaves and other debris from gutters to avoid water damage. Yes, a common culprit of water damage is dirty or faulty gutters. Gutter systems control the flow of rainwater from roofs therefore they have the potential to cause major damage to roofs and walls. As always, we are here to help. Here are a few easy steps to maintain/clean your gutters.

1. Begin by preparing your tools, ladder, and PPE
2. Remove large debris by hand
3. Use a gutter scoop tool to remove smaller debris
4. Flush out the gutters with a garden hose and nozzle (start away from and work towards the downspout)
5. Clean the downspouts

Now that the gutters are clean, inspect them for leaks, cracks, and other damage to avoid future problems. Flush the gutters again to ensure correct slope and drainage.

Safety tips-

*Wait for a dry, low wind day (in addition to the safety measure, wet leaves are a lot harder to move)

*Practice ladder safety

*Wear safety goggles to keep debris from disturbing your eyes

*Wear thick quality gloves for better grip and to avoid hurting your hands